Do I have to run the program over the Internet?  

The program can be run over the Internet very easily as it is a 100% web based program. The program can also be run over an Intranet, Wide Area Network Local Area Network or even a single computer.

What is required to run CalWorks?

If you are hosting CalWorks within your laboratory:
A SQL relational database (such as Microsoft SQL Server), a Java server (such as Apache Tomcat) and drivers for the database, and the CalWorks program must be installed on the machine that will act as your CalWorks server.  An internet browser (such as Internet Explorer or Netscape) must be installed on any workstations accessing CalWorks.

If CalWorks is being hosted outside your laboratory:
An internet browser (such as Internet Explorer or Netscape) must be installed on any workstations accessing CalWorks.  Those workstations must have access to the internet.

How many users does CalWorks support?

The only limit on the number of users concurrently running CalWorks is the number of licenses you purchase.  An unlimited number of user accounts can be created within the program.

How does the system make sure that the latest version is installed on the workstation?

This is the strength of a web-based system. Nothing is loaded on the workstation. Everything is stored on the server. Any computer that is capable of bringing up a browser and has access to the server can run the program without installing anything on that computer.

Can I access the system from home?

You can access the system from any computer that has access to the server. If the system was installed on the Internet then it could be accessed from any computer that had Internet access

Can I outsource the application?

The CalWorks application and the Norvada data hosting services offer an alternative for companies who wish to outsource the hosting of their data and applications to a professional data center with high uptime and predictable service-level agreements. No need to worry about hardware or network infrastructure - Norvada takes care of all the details so all you have to worry about is running your business.

Is CalWorks customizable?

Absolutely.  CalWorks menus and screens can be tailored (or completely removed) based on user security groups.  This means that one group of lab staff (such as administrative staff) can have access to all customer service functions; while another group (such as shipping/receiving clerks) can access only limited information.  The system can be configured to meet any of your needs.

Does CalWorks support SSL?

Yes.  If you purchase a certificate for SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption, you can run CalWorks in a totally secure, encrypted environment.  SSL certificates are available from a variety of third-party vendors.

How do you handle conversion of legacy database data to your system?

Data conversion is handle with two options.  The first option is that if the data is provided to us in an Excel spreadsheet that if furnished by Norvada there is no cost to the data conversion.  The second option is to convert the existing data from you current system.  There is a data conversion document that will be supplied to you on request. There is a charge for this option.  After we have received a sample of your data, we can provide a cost for the data conversion.

What pre-implementation support do you offer?

The normal installation phone support and written documentation is sufficient. For those large implementation we offer a 14 step Implementation Program.  More Details.

Are the system software and manuals supplied on a CD-ROM? If not, how?

Yes they are supplied via a CD.  Updates and service packs are downloadable from the FTP site.

What follow on support plans do you offer?

Dependent on the program we offer various support packages. 

Do you offer an annual Maintenance Agreement that provides all updates, upgrades, correction of defects, and phone service support?

The CalWorks program has an annual Maintenance Agreement that provides unlimited support and all updates and enhancements to the program

The CalTrace program has a prepaid option that includes support, updates and enhancements or a per incident support can be purchased.

Can I generate calibration due notices?

Yes.  Along with a variety of other reports, CalWorks allows you to create calibration due notices for a single customer or for all of your laboratory's customers.

Can I use a reporting program with CalWorks?

Yes.  The CalWorks SQL database can be opened by third-party reporting programs (Crystal Reports, Report Writer) run by users with the proper security.

Does your system support multiple scheduled maintenance services for each asset?

Yes, many different type of services can be established, such as, Calibration, Preventative Maintenance, Repairs, Inspection, etc.  These services are called scheduled functions and The Scheduled Function Info grid displays all upcoming work scheduled for the item. Scheduled functions can be created, modified, or deleted. There is no limit to the number of scheduled functions for an individual item. Recall notices for items are generated based on the Scheduled Function Info.

Does your system automatically update due dates for preventative maintenance actions and other non-calibration services?

Yes. In addition each customer as well as the lab can have due dates calculated by the exact number of days, the first of the month, the last of the month or the same day of the month.

How does your system handle on-line access to calibration and maintenance procedures?

For every type of instruction for any type of function, the instruction can be internal to the program or external. If the Use Alternate Instruction File is selected the path to the instruction is inserted along with the file name. This could be a PDF file, document, or even a video that is located on any server that the computer has access to whether that is on the LAN, WAN, Intranet or Internet.

How does your system ensure that the current revision calibration procedure is being used?

The Instruction file contains the Instruction Name, Description, Revision Number, the Instruction Authority, who it was revised by and date, who it was approved by and date, the instruction itself or the path and the file if it is an external instruction file.  This is then attached to the Item type file and is pulled forward to the Job Entry screen where it is available to the technician.

How does your system handle out-of-tolerance and non-conformance reporting and tracking?

If the readings were recorded in the Readings Master file, any reading that was out side of the minimum or maximum values the system automatically turns the value to be red in color and the Out Of Tolerance box is automatically check. The system also contains the same provision for Significantly Out Of Tolerance.

How does your system handle bar codes and customized labels? 

Reading barcodes - The system handles barcodes to expedite data entry and accuracy. For example, when an item is received the barcode is scanned and all of the information is pulled forward and entered into the receiving screen. Any field could be completed using a barcode scanner.

Printing barcodes and labels – Anything that is in the database can be placed on a label including barcodes.

How are unique equipment numbers defined? Can there be different categories? How many categories?

The system tracks by a number that is not displayed to the user. The system will allow three item identification numbers be attached to an item in addition to the serial number and the barcode. If you do not need that many fields, the excess fields can be made to disappear from the screen. Each item can also belong to a Category, Subcategory, Class, Group or Family.

How does the system accommodate repair actions?

The item can be scheduled for repairs with a function date. If the item is brought in for calibration and found to need repairs, the system will use the same work order as the calibration. The system will track the date, purchase order number even if different from the calibration PO, the subcontractor if necessary, the cycle, cycle type, due date, the Instruction to be used along with the revision number and revision date, the technician performing the repair, the person approving the repair, the approval date, parts that were used for the repair, the work time for the repair, and any notes for analysis, laboratory or repairs.

How does the system accommodate Preventative Maintenance management?

The system handles Preventative Maintenance the same way it handles repairs.

Is tracking of calibration standards accommodated to include reverse traceability? Describe the calibration standards management system? 

The system will allow or not allow the use of past due standards by selecting that option in the Option Setup. If an item is a laboratory standard it is marked as being High Use or Limited Use, it is classified as being a Working, Transfer, Primary Or Secondary, the limit of usage before cal and usage before decommission values are placed in the system.  The system will track the usage since the last calibration, the total usage and the last cal date. It will also track if the standard is traceable to NIST with the Number, Date and Parameter.  When the reverse traceability report is run the system will list every item that was calibrated by this standard in the date range that is selected.

How is “as found" and “as left” measurement data handled?

The system will track the readings that are entered into the system either through the Reading Master or an external sheet such as an Excel Spreadsheet. The As Found, the Actual or As Left and the Deviation values can be entered  In addition there is a As Found field and Left As field which contains Functional, Damage, In Tolerance, Out of Tolerance, In operable or As Is.

Can “Certificates of Calibration” be printed out automatically upon completion of a calibration action?

The system will allow a Certificate to be printed by clicking the certificate button. The system will automatically generate the certificate if printed or not.  The owners of the item can be provided access to the system as a view only user and can view and print out his own certificate.

Can I have different kinds of certificates in the system?

You can have a different certificate for each item type, lab location and customer. There is no practical limit.

How are “parent” and “child” association of equipment supported?

Any Item or Item Type can be associated with a parent child relationship.  It is indicated which item is the parent of the item being edited.  The item is then being marked as Recall Parent and Recall Children.  When the recall report is run the system will automatically mark if the item is a Parent or Child that is being recalled.

How are special flags and alerts accommodated, i.e. Lockout / Tagout notice?

The instruction contains a check box to indicate if it is a Lockout/Tagout notice.

Can more than one technician document work against an open item?

Yes. Multiple technicians can work on the same job entry at the same time or varied times. The technician is indicated along with the date and time expended, the category of time (Regular, Overtime, Training, etc) along with any notes.

How does the system manage the logging of environmental conditions during calibration actions, i.e. Humidity, Temperature, etc? Does this information automatically transfer into a certification report?

The system has fields for Temperature, Humidity and Pressure.  In the option screen the system can be set to make these required fields, meaning that these field must be completed to complete the calibration.  The certificate can be configured to contain these fields.

Can the system provide for the assignment of default calibration intervals to unique types of instruments (same models)?

Yes, each type of instrument is configured to contain the Default Cycle, Minimum Cycle, Maximum Cycle and the Cycle Type

Do you recommend a dedicated systems administrator to support your system?

It is not necessary to have a dedicated System Administrator. This is a web-based system. That gives you the freedom to have the application with all of the necessary functions of backup, etc. be located anywhere.  It could be at your facility, you ISP or even at Norvada. Since everything it stored at the server all of the headache of network administration and workstation configuration is eliminated.

Can a Main Menu option be hidden from a user?

Yes, the screens are configured for a user group. For any user group Menu options can be eliminated.  Such as, the Administrators would have access to the Option and Security Screens.  Every other user group these menu options would not appear.

Can unused fields be removed from a screen?

Yes, the screens are configured for a user group. This allows the elimination of fields that are not used to be eliminated.

How is data archived?

It is recommended that the data be left intact because of the historical value of the data. 

How are user defined fields accommodated?

Yes, the screens are configured for a user group. All of the fields can be renamed or reconfigured.  New fields can be added.

Can selectable default data be defined for fields to eliminate accidental misspellings of equipment information during new add? What is the maximum number of pre-defined selectable data (List Boxes)?

Any field can be made to be a validated field meaning that the field must be filled from the drop down list.

How is the customer contact database managed? Can the system permit an unlimited number of contacts to be defined for each customer? How is this interfaced with recall reporting?

Norvada offer as an option the CalView program.  It is for customer access.  Each customer is given a User ID and Password and is restricted to Customer Access Only.  The user is then attached to a customer or customers.  When the user logs in to the CalView program he can then view only the information for the customer or customers he was attached to.  There is no limit to the number of customers that can access the CalView program.  In the CalView program the user has view access to the items owned by the customer and can view all history events and print certificates.  They can also run reports for inventory, recall, open jobs and past due items.

Will the system accommodate customer purchase orders?

The CalWorks program accommodates customer purchase orders. The PO can be a blanket (default) PO or individual PO. CalWorks tracks the PO Number, Expiration Date, Amount, Amount Allocated, Warning Amount, Amount Used, who reviewed the PO and date and who approved the PO and date.  The system also tracks the tax codes (including Canadian Taxes) and percentages, discounts, Resale number, payment terms, Surcharges.  The CalTrace program does not.

Will the system accommodate spare parts inventories? 

Yes, the system has a complete spare parts program.

Will the system accommodate creation of invoices?

The CalWorks program handles the creation of all billing functions.  This data is then exportable to an accounting package.

Describe the vendor management used by your system? Can the system track vendor audit status?  

The system sets up vendors in the business entity screen as subcontractor.  The charges from the subcontractor can then be set up on the Item Type file and the calibration can be then marked as completed by the subcontractor.  If the business entity is a vendor, a Audit date can be set for them. They will then be included on the Due for Audit report.